Perspective

David Hackett Fischer is a university professor at Brandeis University located in Waltham, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. He teaches history in one of the historical hotbeds of the United States. Fischer's expertise in this field is clear. He has spent years researching the subject. The most likely audience for this book is history students.

It seems that the author is determined to make it known how important the events in this book were to the formation of our nation's history. Washington's crossing of the Delaware River is a well-known event in history. However, it is probably not well known how much planning and effort went into the crossing. The story is clear: if Washington did not undertake this feat and if his army was unsuccessful, the cause was lost. Things up until this point were bleak for the Americans. This was a make-or-break event. Fischer also brings...